The defence ministry has ordered a CBI enquiry into the contract to purchase 12 AgustaWestland helicopters from Italian defence firm Finmeccanica after its chief executive Giuseppe Orsi was arrested on corruption charges relating to the $800-million deal. The defence ministry, in a release, stated that media reports had pointed out about Italian prosecutors having initiated an investigation into the alleged unethical dealings of Finmeccanica, and had included the Indian contract signed in February 2010. The defence ministry was under the opinion that the external affairs ministry, had asked for information from the governments of Italy and Britain as AgustaWestland is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. The defence ministry release specified, "The contract signed with M/s. AgustaWestland includes specific contractual provisions against bribery and the use of undue influence as well as an integrity pact. Since no specific input has been received so far from the two governments, MoD has decided to refer the case to CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) for inquiry. "

12-Feb-2013Others

Cop shot dead, four arrested in Kolkata

In a clash between student activists of Congress and the Trinamool Congress at a college in Kolkata, police sub-inspector lost his life and a man was injured in firing by miscreants. Tapas Chowdhury, a sub-inspector associated with the city police's Special Branch was hit when he was trying to control the students in Harimohan Ghose College in the Garden Reach area of west Kolkata. Four persons including the prime suspect Mohammad Shubhaan have been arrested as of now. Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee stated they would be punished without any consideration of their political affiliation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident. The violence in the college started over the issue of nomination forms for the students' union election as per the police. V.S. Nesakumar, deputy commissioner of police, port division informed that crude bombs were used and there was gun fire was as well. Chowdhury died in the hospital. The trouble took place between rivals Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, the student wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress) and Chhatra Parishad, the student wing of the Congress.

12-Feb-2013Business

India's consumer price inflation increases to 10.79 percent

Inflation that was based on the consumer price index (CPI) saw a rise of 10.79 percent in January in comparison to 10.56 percent in the previous month. This was due to a sharp rise in prices of vegetables, sugar and oils and fats. Vegetables got costlier by 26.11 percent. Sugar by 12.95 percent year-on-year. Prices of oil and fats spiked by 14.98 percent and cereals by 14.90 percent. Prices of pulses increased by 12.76 percent. The price rise more pinching in rural areas. The Consumer Price Index-based inflation for rural areas rose by 10.88 percent in January in comparison to 10.74 percent in the previous month. For urban areas consumer price inflation increased by 10.73 percent in the month under review in compared to 10.42 percent in the previous month. Vegetables got dearer by 25.35 percent year-on-year in rural areas while in urban areas the increase was 27.81 percent. Prices of oils and fats rose by 16.03 percent in rural areas while in urban areas the increase was by 12.82 percent in urban areas. Sugar prices rose by 13.13 percent in rural areas and by 12.40 percent in urban areas.

12-Feb-2013Sports

Indian wrestling community shocked

The wrestling community in India received a shock with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to remove the sport from the 2020 edition of the Games. Olympic medal winners Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt stated that it was a 'Black Day' for the sport. Sushil who won two medals said that he was completely stunned with this decision and was in a state of disbelief that IOC can take such a decision at a time when the sport was gaining popularity in India. He also said it was one of the oldest sports in the Olympics. Yogeshwar, who got bronze at the London Games, also terms this to be a big blow for the youngsters. HE also stated that the game was played in all the 209 member countries of FILA (international wrestling body). That it was a spectator-friendly sport and he could not find any reason behind its removal from 2020.

12-Feb-2013Entertainment

Akshay Kumar would love to play the role of a villain

Actor-producer Akshay Kumar after delving in action, comedy and thriller is now interested in exploring roles with shades of grey. He said he was offered the role of Paresh Rawal in Khakee earlier and he had really liked the role that time. Now if he gets something like that he would love to essay the role. He is now enjoying the success of his recent release "Special 26", where he portrays the character of a conman. He is not worried that the negative roles will affect his image. He said, "It's just a film and I have played villain three times earlier." The actor had got nominated for Filmfare in the negative role for 'Ajnabee'.

12-Feb-2013Science and Technology

Government to provide Aakash tablet at Rs1500

Government will be distributing the Aakash tablet for around Rs1500 a piece so that the students can use it for their benefit and have the world at their fingertips. The government acquired the device from Datawind, the maker of Aakash tablet PC, at Rs 2,263 and will sell to the students at subsidised rate of Rs 1,130 apiece. IT minister Kapil Sibal said that there was the requirement to gain expertise in offering cutting-edge technology at affordable prices to people. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) should be instrumental in developing such technologies. He said a wrist watch, which will video graph,set up an alarm, call up dedicated lines was needed for the security of women and also a GPS system was needed which should be produced for less than Rs 1,000 for the safety of the citizens.﻿